Contact the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise)
The Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise)’s office is located on Imperial’s South Kensington Campus.
Level 4 Faculty Building
Imperial College London
Exhibition Road
London, SW7 2AZ
General enquiries: vpr@imperial.ac.uk
Emily Roche - Head of Research and Enterprise Strategic Projects
Responsible for facilitating the coordination of a range of high-level cross-college initiatives, promoting efficient information and idea exchange, ensuring alignment with our overarching research and enterprise goals, as well as the College's broader mission and strategy. Additionally, Emily plays a crucial part in cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem for both staff and students by supporting the development of multidisciplinary research initiatives and establishing strategic relationships with various internal and external partners, including research funders and corporate collaborators. Emily leads the VPRE Office team to deliver exceptional strategic support and oversee the smooth operation of the Office and its broader remit.
Contact Emily (e.roche@imperial.ac.uk) in the first instance for all non-diary related queries.
Emma Neave - Executive Assistant to the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise)
The core responsibilities of Emma's role revolve around supporting the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise) to ensure the best use of her time, focusing on diary management, meeting coordination and travel planning. In addition to these core duties, Emma provides finance support.
Contact Emma (e.neave@imperial.ac.uk) in the first instance for all diary-related queries.
Samia Rahman – Engagement and Research Environment Manager
Samia Rahman is the Engagement and Research Environment Manager at the Office of the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise). She supports strategic research partnerships and research culture initiatives across Imperial including management of our Enhancing Research Culture Funding, facilitating the Good Science Project and overseeing all other funded projects. Samia acts as a key contact between the university and relevant external stakeholders. Her role includes coordinating reviews of Imperial's Centres and Networks of Excellence, managing engagement with strategic partners such as ARIA, and overseeing the Research Advisory Group (RAG). Samia also supports a range of external boards and initiatives that promote a positive research environment, underpinned by integrity, effective governance, and research best practice.
Contact Samia (samia.rahman@imperial.ac.uk) for queries relating to Centres and Networks of Excellence, Enhancing Research Culture, Research Advisory Group (RAG), and Imperial's strategic partnership with ARIA.
Lara Breckon - Operations and Strategic Projects Manager
Lara leads a portfolio of strategically significant initiatives within the Office of the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise), supporting the development and delivery of Imperial's research and enterprise priorities. Her current work includes strategic reviews, research governance, the Research Facilities & Infrastructure Working Group, and projects that strengthen Imperial's research environment, talent, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She also develops strategic analysis and governance materials to support senior decision-making and works closely with colleagues across the university and external partners to deliver cross-institutional initiatives.
Contact Lara (l.breckon@imperial.ac.uk) in the first instance for queries relating to the Research Facilities & Infrastructure Working Group, Prizes & Awards, QR funding, and external visits.
Caitlin O'Shea - Operations and Strategic Projects Officer
Caitlin manages a portfolio of research impact, communications and strategic projects within the Office of the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise). She is project lead for Imperial’s Impact Toolkit and works on initiatives that strengthen how Imperial identifies, evidences and communicates the impact of its research. Her work includes analysing Imperial’s research and impact portfolio, drawing on REF case studies, funding and industry engagement data to identify strategic opportunities and develop impact-focused projects and case studies. Caitlin also supports research governance as Secretary to the Research and Enterprise Committee, leads communications for the office, including news articles, blogs and LinkedIn content on behalf of the Vice-Provost, and coordinates institutional support for major funding bids, fellowship nominations and internal research awards.
Contact Caitlin (c.oshea@imperial.ac.uk) in the first instance for queries relating to the Impact Toolkit, the Research and Enterprise Committee, VPRE communications, letters of support, fellowship nominations and internal awards.